Mapagpalang araw sa inyong lahat especially to our Ordinand, Seminarian John dela
Cruz, who would be ordained deacon on this Eucharistic Celebration, to the clergy and religious,
to the government officials who are here, to the family of Sem. John, to the parishioners and to
all those who are joining through live streaming. Again a blessed morning to all of you.
In a normal situation without this pandemic and an occasion like this diaconate ordination, I
am very sure that this church will be filled with many people to witness and celebrate the gift of
vocation that was given to Sem. John Dela Cruz. However, because of Covid-19, our celebration
today is simple, and those who can join physically is very limited. I believe many of the
Ordinand friends and families are wishing and very much willing to join us physically. Still, we
cannot do anything but follow the protocol for our safety.
My brothers and sisters, this pandemic cause us faithful to be distant from each other.
Because of this, many of us cannot meet our friends, families, and constituents face to face
physical and shake their hands, but I hope this pandemic will not stop us from connecting and
relating to everyone to say Kumusta ka? I hope this pandemic will not stop us from continuing
our calling to serve one another in many ways. And I hope that our brother, who is now in
front, our future and soon to be deacon, will not let the pandemic stopping him from doing his
mission after his ordination.
“Amare et Servire," to love and serve the Lord. This is the theme that Seminarian John
chooses to remind him of this ordination of him to the diaconate. This theme, "Amare et
Servire" is the emphasis of the term "Deacon," which is come from the Greek word "Diakonia"
which means service among others. This is what diaconate is all about - A servant. When we say
a servant, you are not the master or are not the boss. A servant is always willing and ready to
do the will of his master. And who is your master? My dear Seminarian John, your master, is
Jesus, our Lord. Whatever service you will render for the church, see to it that it is the will of
the Lord. Practice and always do what the Lord tells you to do.
Later during the rite of Ordination, I will tell you this: "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose
herald you have become. Believe what you read, preach what you believe, and practice what
you teach," I hope you will not stop remembering this passage. Sooner or later, you will receive
the ordination to the priesthood; I hope you will not forget this passage. In a simple way, this
passage telling you to walk your talk. It is not enough Seminarian John to just read the Gospel
during Mass and give a homily; please practice what you say and preach in your homily. It is not
enough to just sit and pray the Liturgy of the Hour; it is not enough to just assist the priest or
bishop in the Mass; it is not enough to say, "let us pray for the hungry." Please do something.
Do what the Lord did, feed the hungry, embrace the leper, and serve the poor. Seminarian
John, this is my request to you, do the same.
A week ago, when I ask you what you can do for the Church- the body of Christ? And your
response to me is your willingness to die for others and to die for the Lord. And you assure me
that this is your vacation. Again, I would like to remind you once more. You were not called just
to wear the beautiful dalmatic; you were not called just to assist the Bishop in the Liturgy. You
were called for a service, you were called to die for the beloved, you were called to die for the
others and for the Lord- that is mission and charity. Always remember this, my beloved soon to
be Reverend John like the calling of the first seven deacons in the scripture who were called to
be martyred, you are also called to be like them. To be willing to die for the Church, for others,
and the Lord and to be willing to die because of service for the Mother Church, that is the time
that you fulfilled hundred percent your vocation to the Lord.
